Fire Guts Popular Pittsburgh-Area Banquet Hall

HARMAR, PA — A fire Wednesday night caused significant damage to Futules' Harmar House, a popular banquet hall. Apartments attached to the building also were severely damaged.

The two-alarm fire at the Freeport Road banquet hall broke out at around 7:15 p.m. and took about 90 minutes to bring under control.

All of the apartment occupants got out of the building safely. No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is investigating.

The Harmar House has been around since 1960 and has been the scene of numerous wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, anniversary celebrations, graduations, funeral luncheons and more. It has a seating capacity of 500.

The banquet hall is owned by Allegheny County Councilman Nick Futules, who was in tears as he talked to reporters at the scene Wednesday evening. Futules told various media outlets that dozens of wedding receptions and other events would have to be canceled through the remainder of the year.